Indian pharmaceutical companies are hungry for the next frontier: drugs to fight obesity which has become the biggest worry for the urban well-off as they gorge on calorie-dense food and lead unhealthy lifestyles. Experts say patients should desist from importing prescription drugs before they are made available through proper channels.
Anti-obesity drugs are big business in the West, where obesity has reached epic proportions (according to the Global Obesity Observatory, 36.47 percent of the US adult population is obese). As well-traveled Indians bring back the pills, Indian companies have scoped the business and want a share of the action.
The number of obese people is rising in India. The National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) data from 2019-2021 reveals that 33.2 percent of urban women and 29.8 percent of urban men (in the age group of 15-49 years) are overweight or obese. Obesity affects over 135 million individuals, making it a significant health concern. Childhood obesity is a particularly alarming issue in urban India, where it holds the record for the highest number of obese children globally (over 15 million). The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children aged 5-19 has surged from 4 percent in 1975 to an alarming 18 percent in 2016, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). These children will grow up to add to the population of adult obese.
“There has certainly been a rise in the demand for weight-loss drugs. But weight-loss medications should be taken only under medical supervision, and the patient needs to comply with all other instructions given by the physician along with regular follow-ups,” says Dr Pradeep Chowbey, Chairman, Max Institute of Laparoscopic, Endoscopic, Bariatric Surgery & Allied Surgical Specialities. “Patients, unfortunately, see this as an easy fix and want to try this option even if they do not fit the criteria for these medications. Even people who are slightly overweight want to try these medications as an easy fix to stay in shape,” he says.
Exercise Drugs with caution
Doctors say India must ensure the safety and efficacy of these medications with robust clinical trials and scrutiny. Most importantly, the government must prevent misuse.
“Some patients choose not to pursue these treatments due to concerns about cost and side effects. Despite this, these drugs are known for their high impact and yield so they are gaining prominence in diabetes treatment,” says Misra.
Doctors specializing in weight loss say drugs for diabetes help, but only for a certain BMI range (between 25 and 30-32.5, or just overweight) without any associated illness such as diabetes or high blood pressure. “If there are associated co-morbidities, medications have to be regulated, and monitoring has to be done more closely along with dietary changes and lifestyle modifications,” says Max’ Chowbey. Weight loss drugs cannot work for patients who are morbidly obese, that is, have a BMI over 37.5 kg/m2 or 32.5 and above with some co-morbidities, he adds.
For optimal effectiveness, these medications should be complemented with adjustments to lifestyle and diet. Whether opting for medication or surgical interventions, incorporating diet and lifestyle changes is fundamental for a successful weight loss journey,” says Dr Sukhvinder Singh Saggu, Director, Minimal Access, GI & Bariatric Surgery at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.
Given the business sense in making local versions of anti-obesity drugs, India’s pharma industry is in a rush. And India’s obese and overweight will not have to wait for long. Till then, they are stuck with expensive pills.
source: https://www.businesstoday.in/